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Photo Camp: Appalachian Trail, Virginia

Plant Near Rock

Photograph by Andya Tellez

For National Geographic's Appalachian Trail Photo Camp 2008, high school students documented a Northern Virginia stretch of this storied mountain path and those who work to conserve it. The workshop, held in August, was presented in partnership with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, an affiliate of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The conservancy is a volunteer-based group dedicated to conserving the natural resources, cultural legacy, and recreational aspects of the trail—a 250,000-acre (101,170-hectare) greenway running from Georgia to Maine. The workshop culminated in a multimedia show documenting the students' experiences.

This gallery presents images made during the workshop paired with each photographer's thoughts on the environment and conservation. Here, a shot by student Andya Tellez shows a plant growing near a lichen-covered rock.

“I think it’s true in some cases [that young people aren’t connected to nature],” says Photo Camp participant Andya Tellez. “Young people who care more about material things won’t care about nature at all. But there are also kids that aren’t that material and are more into nature. So, I would say it’s true, but it's not the case with all the young people in the world.”

Horse Silhouette

Photograph by Haley Schultz

“I think that young people today are in a way connected to nature,” says Photo Camp participant Haley Schultz. “Even though some kids are playing video games or getting on Facebook or texting most of the time, we are still going outside and interacting with our environment. We play sports, ride horses, and even come to camp to show that we are involved with our surroundings.

"A lot of adults consider us as being unconnected to nature because we have a lot of pressure put on us like schoolwork and jobs, and we can’t really be involved with it as much as we would like. But if people could actually take like 20 minutes out of their stressful day to help outside in the community or even make the choice to walk a few more steps and throw their bottles and cans in the recycling bins instead of the trash can, then they would be doing a lot for the environment.”

Streetlights at Twilight

Red Nasturtium

Photograph by Greg Strosnider

A beautiful (and edible) nasturtium flower grows through a chicken-wire fence in a garden near Bears Den Trail Center. Hikers are welcome to eat the excess produce grown by the trail center's caretakers, Scott and Marie Wheaton.

Rock, Trees, and Sky

Photograph by Tyler Cox

“Rocky Mountain Bluemont”

"Well up here on the mountain, things just look so high. The trees, the birds, the airplanes, baby, even the bright blue sky. I don’t ever wanna leave, and you I do know why. This is where I live, and this is where I wanna die.

"Rocky Mountain Bluemont, it’s the only place to be. Rocky Mountain Bluetops, it’s the only place for me.

"You can smell the woodstove burnin’, and you can feel it too. The walls are warm, the floor is soft, and I just kicked off my shoes. And I don’t have a damn thing to do for the rest of this day. I was gonna saddle up and ride to town, but I’m just gonna stay.

"Rocky Mountain Bluemont, it’s the only place to be. Rocky Mountain Bluetops, it’s the only place for me.

"Well, it only lasted 14 years, and now I’m in the flats. My folks decided to move to town, and this where we’re at. Built a house and moved right in, on the night of Christmas Eve. My family calls it home, but I know it ain’t no home for me.

"Rocky Mountain Bluemont, it’s the only place to be. Rocky Mountain Bluetops, it’s the only place for me."—Photo Camp participant Tyler Cox

Girl Sitting on Rocks

Photograph by Jessie Daniels

“I think some young people aren’t connected to nature,” says Photo Camp participant Jessie Daniels. “They are so busy with work or school, and they spend their spare time playing video games and watching TV. I think the reason for this is that they were raised without venturing into the great outdoors. The parents of these kids are too busy with work and other things. But some kids do go outside and do things, and in my opinion, they have better lives.”

Thistle and Clouds

Photograph by Eroica Williams

“Adults like to hide their imperfections behind their children,” says Photo Camp participant Eroica Williams. “Therefore, the assumption that young people today are not connected to nature is not true. Adults are hypocrites! They spend their day stuck in the office, at the store, or lounging at home while their kids spend their afternoons outside, at sports practices, camping, and hiking. There are a few unfortunate kids that spend their free time playing video games and watching TV. However, for the most part, young people, compared to adults, spend much more of their time in nature."

Room in Blue Light

Photograph by Lizzie Miller

“Although adults were young once, they don’t know everything about children,” says Photo Camp participant Lizzie Miller. “It is true that some kids are more concerned with video games or movies, but not every child should be clumped into that stereotype. Personally, I would much more enjoy sitting inside and watching a movie, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not connected to nature. I’m connected with nature through art. I go out for hours on end to sketch or paint. I don’t actually walk or hike for miles, but I am at peace.”

Climbing Bear’s Den Overlook

Photograph by Katie Burson

“My mother always tells me that I don’t appreciate the beauty that surrounds us,” says Photo Camp participant Katie Burson. “But I do. I just don’t express it. I don’t freak out and say, ‘Oh my god, look at that! It’s so pretty.’ I think that stuff is on the inside.”

Jumping Self-Portrait

Photograph by Holly Clegg

“I think adults in every generation have had the same opinion of the younger generation,” says Photo Camp participant Holly Clegg. “Adults always think their time was the best and that they were raised better than the kids of today. I don’t think you can blame a certain generation—it’s a personal choice to be connected to nature. There are kids who are constantly on their computers and cell phones, but there are also kids biking and hiking. I see a lot of younger people volunteering in their community, gathering recycling, going 'green,' caring for their environment more than anyone else.”

Self-Portrait With Paintbrushes

Photograph by Rebecca Iwersen

“I think it depends on the kid,” says Photo Camp participant Rebecca Iwersen, “and his or her interests. Oh, and where they live. I mean, I’ve lived in the woods all of my life, and I love it even if I don’t always act like it. I guess other kids might not have a connection with nature, but at some point in their lives, they will. The world is slowly 'going green,' so at some point they’ll be involved whether they realize it or not.”

Looking at Pictures

Photograph by Emily Wilson

“Now that young people have more distractions, they do spend more time inside,” says Photo Camp participant Emily Wilson. “I used to be one of those people that would spend a lot of my time in front of the TV. But now I work at Subway, and I don’t really have time to spend outside. This camp has been really nice, because it was an excuse to take time off and learn how to enjoy the outdoors. The trail has also shown me that the outdoors can be much more beautiful than I’d ever imagined.”

Self-Portrait With Friend

Photograph by Leann Albert

“This camp made me realize that photography is something that I am excited to move forward with,” says Photo Camp participant Leann Albert. “This program also taught me that a picture that you think is horrible may turn out to be amazing in every possible way. I loved the camp.”

“I feel that every little aspect of nature is important and beautiful," Albert adds. "Whether it’s a leaf or a spider web that has been destroyed, it can all look beautiful if you just take the time to photograph it and appreciate its significance.”

Man With Dog

Photograph by Sarah Keplinger

Lee Sheaffer, president of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, and his dog Peabody pose for a portrait on the Appalachian Trail. During the August 2008 Photo Camp, students photographed people who have committed themselves to managing and conserving the trail.

Dog on its Back

Photograph by Rob Madden

“Nature. The very sound of the word makes the body warm and the birds sing,” says Photo Camp participant Rob Madden. “It is the life and breath of the Earth, the mother of all animals, the caretaker of the young and old alike. This heavenly force should be radiated through all its offspring, but, despite that joyous ideal, it is not the case. In general, humans seem ungrateful of their mother, commonly disregard their roots, and replace her with their own pseudo-nature. One might ask, 'Who can reject nature and love this false production? Who is so unsatisfied with the most beautiful power ever known that they will make a cold, listless machine to surrogate it?' The answers vary. The older generation blames the young, while the young generation blames the old. One thing is for sure, both are to blame and both should be ashamed.”

Girl in Blue Dress

Photograph by London Brown

“Teenagers in this day and age rely too much on technology for everything,” says Photo Camp participant London Brown. “They are always glued to the TV or computer, and they never go outside to cherish their surroundings. But on the other hand, I think that adults are wrong and that kids do connect with nature in ways that adults don’t know about. Young people go for walks, ride bikes, play outside, and connect with their environment.”